Official launching of the 7’s GPS in Lyon

10/03/2012 - 26/09/2012

The second edition of the 7’s Grand Prix series in Lyon was officially announced - 2/3 June 2012 - during a press conference held in the magnificent town hall this week. The deputy mayor in charge of sports, Thierry Braillard, is glad the French stage of the competition is taking place in Lyon. Accompanied by Daniel Falque, Vice-President of the French Rugby Union, and Yvan Patet, President of the LOU rugby club, he confirmed that this choice was resolutely forward-looking. They believe 7’s rugby, becoming an Olympic sport in 2016 in Rio, has a huge potential and has a larger scope than fifteen-a-side rugby.

To report: the tournament will take place in the new Matmut stadium, where the LOU usually plays (TOP 14).
Gilles Bizot & Michel Arpaillange, on behalf of FIRA-AER, explained the format of the whole 7’s competition, listed the stakes and the participating teams.
Roland Genet, manager of the local organisation committee, clearly stated their ambitions: welcome 10 000 spectators this week-end and entertain the fans just as for the IRB World Series in Hong Kong.